Bette looked over Emilys head and caught Tinas eye. She returned Tinas smile and when her eyes wandered to Tinas ring finger and found it bare her smile broadened further. Maybe things would be OK after all.

She cleared her throat How old is Emily? she asked quietly.

Free.. Emily said and held up four chubby fingers.

Tina leaned over and bent one of them down Thats right.. Emilys three and she counted them off for her one..two..three.

Tina looked up at Bette, Her birthday was last month.

Tina brushed her hands through Emilys hair We had a party didnt we Emee..with lots of presents?

Bette quickly did the calculations in her head; Tina must have been pregnant before shed left LA. She was shocked by this revelation, how had she not known? It was clear by looking at Emily who the father must have been So shes..

Yeah ..umm..Marcus .. Tina finished and bit her lip as she waited to see how Bette would react.

I dont understand..why didnt you tell me? Bette asked puzzled by this unexpected turn of events.

It was my decision wed moved on.. I …I guess I didnt think youd care Tina said trying to put into one sentence all of the feelings that had coursed through her when Bette had cheated on her; how hurt and upset and confused shed been at the time, how much shed needed to have someone she could love, how important it was that she try and replace some part if what shed lost.

But why Marcus? Bette asked; confused as to why Tina would chose to have a bi-racial child when she was rasing it on her own.

I dont know.. Tina said, trying to find the words to explain the complexity of the decision shed made.

The simple answer was that Marcus had been available and she knew there was a good chance shed get pregnant but thered been much more to it than that, without the bond of their marriage there had been other options open to her. I..I.. think I just wanted a little of you with me forever…

Bette reached out toward Tina, her lip trembled as she realised how much shed missed this woman, how special she was. She wanted Tina closer but was afraid to move too much in case she upset the little girl who was happily playing on her lap.